Hannah Murray opens up about the terrifying events that led to her decision to leave Hollywood.
In a new interview with The Guardian promoting her upcoming memoir, The Make-Believe: A Memoir of Magic and MadnessMurray detailed how a seemingly harmless “wellness cult” eventually spiraled into hallucinations, paranoia and a 28-day psychiatric hospitalization.
“I had no idea I was going to go through any of the things in the book,” Murray admitted. “I thought, ‘I’m smart. I make good choices.’ Well, I made terrible choices.”
The actress said she was initially drawn to the group after struggling emotionally while filming 2017’s Detroit. What began as a positive healing session slowly evolved into deeper involvement with a spiritual organization led by a man she calls “Steve.”
“He exuded power in a way that I had never known anyone to exude,” she recalled. “Magical power…I knew I was in the presence of a magician.”
Things came to a head during a retreat in London, where Murray said she began hallucinating and hearing voices. At one point she thought she could “save the world” and “fly”. She eventually locked herself in a bathroom as members of the group reportedly yelled, “Get out, you evil spirit in Hannah.”
Murray was later detained under the Mental Health Act and diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The experience ultimately changed her life and career.
Murray, 36, who is now retired from acting, said she hopes sharing her story helps break the stigma surrounding serious mental illness.
“It felt really important to say, ‘I went through this,'” she shared.
